Compression resistant group of flat link chains



y 1945- K. BENDER 2,375,462

' COMPRESSION RESISTANT GROUP OF FLAT LINK CHAINS Filed Sept. 29, 1941' v 2 Sheet s-Sheet 1 M 4 i K. BENDER 2,375,462 4 COMPRESSION RESISTANT GROUP OF FLAT LINK Camus 'F'i1,ed Sepf. 29, 1e41' '2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.8.

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Patented May 8, 1945 COMPRESSION RESISTANT GROUP OF FLAT LINK CHAINS Karl Bender, Wurzburg, Germany; vestedin the Alien Broperty Custodian Application September 29, 1941, Serial No. 412,905 i In Germany February 4, 1938 13 Claims. (Cl. 18934) The present invention relates toa compression resistant group'of fiat link chains which is suitable in all cases in which loads are to be lifted and/or to be pressed downwardly. The invention is particularly adapted for usein connection with lifting gears of sluices, flood or lifting gates, mitred lock gates, and the like.

The group of flat chains consists of'two oppositely acting fiat link chains, adapted to be wound up in the same plane, and to bear against each other for the purpose of forming a compression resistant group of flat link chains.

Each individual fiat link chain consists of links pivotally connected to each other. The portions of the links located above the upper pivot pin are provided with nose-like projections facing the cooperating chain, and these projections are so arranged that the edges of the noses of the one chain bear against the edges of the noses pro vided on the cooperating chain so that in this manner a mutual support of the two chains is obtained. v

Moreover, individual links of the flat link chains may be provided with hook-shaped members which serve the purpose of locking and act upon pivot pins of the opposite or cooperating chain.

The arrangement may also be such that two such hooks engaging each other are provided in staggered relation on the two fiat link chains. These pairs of short locking hooks are provided in spaced relation from each other. With this construction, groups of flat link chains are provided which, even when composed of relatively short links, ofier a very great resistance to compression.

Each individual link of each chain need not necessarily be provided with a nose-like projection, and in some cases a nose at each second or third link only is-sufilcient. In connection with fiat link chains having locking hooks in addition, a still smaller number of noses may be sufficient. a

If each fiat link of each chain is not provided with a nose, the links not having noses preferably are constructed as connecting links, and are for instance relatively short and small plates,

whereas the links carrying noses and-connected to each other by the connecting links are relatively long and fitted with driving pins. The connecting. linksmay then be connected to the upper link member by two driving pins so that the connecting link cannot move relative to the upper link member.

The construction of the noses carried by the links various ways. Thus for instance, the nosesmay be integral with webs rigidly connected with the chain links. I r V It may be of advantage to provide the noses as plates or like elements fixed upon the upper portions of the chain links. In case of a chain consisting of links provided with connecting plates or the like, these noses extend as far as the connecting plate or links. By using such fixed noses in the form of U-shaped members having legs which embrace the centre links and extend as far as the I connecting links, the latter bearagainstfl the legs of the noses as soon as chains occupy a stretched position and, therefore, saidlinks cannot move further in a direction toward the opposed chain. A mutual displacement of'the individual center or middle flat links, therefore, is counteracted.

Preferably, at the lower endsof the middle or intermediate links, stop blocks are additionally provided which are so constructed that the upper portions of the middle'links bear against these stop blocks as soon as the flat link chains occupy the stretched position. By this construction a mutual displacement of the-middle links isabsolutely prevented, and, moreover, the advantage is ensured that after leaving the sprocket wheels, the flat link chains arepositivelybrought into a perfectly stretched position between the sprocket wheels and the object or member to be moved.

In the accompanying drawings some modifications of groupsof flat linkchains constructed in accordance with the invention are shown by way of example. In these drawings: V i Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a group of flat link chains, 1

Fig. 2 is a cross section throughthe group of link chains accordingto Fig.1, I

Fig, 3 shows a side-elevation of amodified. construction of a group of flat link chains provided withlocking hooks, I j

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of another modification provided with long chain links and connecting links,

Fig. 5 shows a side elevationof a group offlat link chains carrying pushed on noses and pairs of hooks, Fig. 6 is a section on line VIVI of Fig. 5, .Fig. '7 is a section on line VII'VII of Fig. '5,

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of a group of flat link chains having additional canis, and Y U Fig. 9 is a section on line IX-IX through the group of flat link chains according to Fig. v8. The two fiat link chains'of the several embodi-' of the flat link chains may be effected. in

" eachother.

ments shown herein are so constructed as to act oppositely under compressive strain and to be f centre of the driving wheel I311 to the outermost unable to bend or flex in a direction away from In the two embodiments shown in Figs. 1

and l2a, respectively. These noses project beyond the inner edges oil direction;

Toincreasethe breaking strength'of"the chains at greater' lengths, lockinghooks It, as shown in 1 the middle links ID or 10a far enough so that f 1 after leaving the driving wheels [3i-theyic'or itact each other in the central planeiof the twofiat 1 link chains I 4 and I5 or I4aand. l 5a, without any clamping actions being ossible dutingzmevej ment of' the flat link chains over the wheels 13. The provision of nose-like projections onthe j chain links has the effect that the twoflat'link chains mutually support each other, so; that a 1 and' 't'o ensure a" locking free of objection, the

1 a manner as to be safe against bulging in any h f Figure 3, may be provided'spaced' in definiterela- 1 tion'from each other;

1 The'two fiat link chains-Mo and' lia, are pro- 1 videdin the embodiment shown in Fig; 4, with the elongated links Ha andthe mi'ddle links [0a are? providedwith riveted driving pins Wand i with" apivot pin '20. links; lla' are fixed to the 'middle li'nks- [0a by the driving'pins i9 and'extend for half the pitch 1 ofjthe' chain beyond the lowerendiofithe middle linki l'lla' and engage thepivotpin 2-0 of the fol A lowingn lddle link. v

I this construction, only the-upper portions of Q the middle links Illa; located abovethe pivot 5 point ZD'are ,providedfwith-noses l 2 a;

Instead'of-these noses lZa, flat iron websofthe i same-thickness and width may" be welded to the iporti'ons which connect the two-middle links of a flati link chain. 7 The result of the use. of 'the :flatj iron websis that, in the event of*displacelmentsof the two fiat' link chains in the directions'of the-axis ofthechainpins, asafe-bea-n'ng jof the individual oppositely arranged pairs of i tmiddlelinks"against'each other is ensured on lcompressive loading of the; chains. In connection with this oonstruction 'also, more particullarly at larger breaking lengths of the chains,

jlocking. hooks l8 may be provided atdeflhite lspaced distances from each other;

As shown in Figs. 5 through 8 U shaped-noses l2b' for each link are'fixedupon the two" members of the centre or middle links" I017- on both chains :at' points above the respective upper' pivot'pins, in such a manner that the" bodies of" the noses I'Zb extend beyond the middle links" I07). They may lbelriveted, screwed, or Welded to the middle links. ;The legs of the noses 12b extend'over the middle links l0 as far as to the connecting links? I I'IT'SO' that, when the flat 'link chains are stretched, the links Illa bear against the legs of the noses l2b-.

vAt defi'nitelyspaced distancesfro each other,

' locking hooks-[8b are provided, 'The' latter may be fixed to one of'the fiat link chains and be-so constructed that they engage with an" elongated chain pin ofthe oppositely arranged chain as soon as the hat link chains, arestretched,

'1 However, to maintain the-distances fromthe The outeror' connecting arranged to engage while the chains are in" a stretched condition, whereby relative movement edge of the locking hook as small as possible dur-. ing winding ofi of the chain from the driving wheel and consequently to utilize the space above the lifting gear as much as possible, preferably short locking hooks are provided, as shown in hooks-W'Bbare staggered, that is, a right hand hook in Fig.6 is-ilocated on a higher level than the=interengaging left hand hook.

Besides the noses serving bearingpurposes and "provi'dedat theup'per ends of the middle links I-UZi'and the'locking hook provided on the connesting links Hb, stop blocks 2| may, asshown in Figs. 8 and 9, be provided on the middle links lflb of'hoth-flat link chains at a point below thelower pivot pin". These st'op blocks 21' are fi'xedfat one .or both sides of the-middle links, for instance by riveting, screwing, or welding. The positiorr of thestopblocks" and the shape of thelatter must be so chosen that when the flat link chains are stretched, one side of a stop block strongly bears against the inner edge of the related connecting link H62 'Preferably each" link of the chains is provided with such' a stop block which, offlcourse, mayconsistof severalparts; I

.IcIaim:

f 1'. A compression resistant chain group compri'singfa' pair of oppositely acting. chain's'arranged to be wound" up in the" same plane, each chain comprising a plurality of links, pivots con necting adjacent links together, inwardly pro- I je'cting'ncses' formed on's'om'e oi the links of'both chains, said noses being, located onthe l'inks'at a. point above the upper pivots thereof and being of the chains toward each other is prevented;

, 2 A compression resistant chain group comprising a. pair of oppositely acting chains arranged to be Wound up in the same plane,.ea'ch chain comprising aplurality of links havingflat sides,, pivots connecting, adjacent. links together with. their flat-sides inbearing-relation', in-

wardly projecting nosesformedon a plurality of the linkspf both. chains, said noses being. located on the linksabove the upper pivots thereof and beingarranged to-engage while the chains are in a stretched condition, whereby relative movement a of the chains toward each other is prevented 3. A compression resistant chaingroup comprising aipair of oppositely acting chains arranged tobe. wound up-in the same plane,.each-- chain comprising a plurality oflinks 'having flat sides,

pivots. connecting adjacent links together with their fiat sidesin: bearing relation, i inwardly projecting noses formed on a plurality of the'links of both chains, saidnoses beingelocated on the links above the upper pivots thereof and being: arranged to engage whilethe chains a-re in a stretched condition, whereby relative movement v of r the chains towardeach: other is prevented,

each of said chains comprising" relatively long middle-links. onwhiclr said noses 1 are located and connecting linksdevoid of noses and positioned I on opposite'sides of the middle links;

4. A compression resistant chaingroup comprising a pair of oppositely acting; chains: ar

ranged to v be" wound: up inthe same plane, each chain comprising a pluralityoi links having flat sides, pivots connecting adjacent links together with their fiat sides in bearing relation, inwardly projecting noses formed on a plurality of the links of both chains, said noses being located on the links above the upper pivots thereof and being arranged to engage while the chains ar in a stretched condition, whereby relative movement of the chains toward each other is prevented, eachof said chains comprising relatively long middle links in which. the noses are located, connecting links devoid'of noses, and at least two driving pins on said middle links and fixing said connectingvlinks to the middle links.

5. A compression resistant chain. group comprising a pair of oppositely acting chains arranged to be wound up in the same plane, each chain prising a pair of oppositely acting chains arranged to be wound up in the same plane, each chaincomprising a plurality oflin'ks, pivots connecting adjacent links together, inwardly projecting noses formed on someoi the links of both chains, said noses being located on the links at a point above the upper pivots thereof and being I arranged to engage while the chains areiin a stretched condition, whereby relative movement of the chains toward each other is prevented, said chains comprising locking hooks arranged to interengage between the chains and prevent,

, relative outward movement of the chains.

comprising a plurality ofJlinks having flat sides,

pivots connecting adjacent links together with their flat sides in bearing relation, inwardly projecting noses formed on a plurality of the links of both chains, said noses being located on the links above the upper pivots thereof and being arranged to engage while the chains are in a stretched condition, whereby relative movement of the chains toward each other is Prevented, said noses consisting of webs fixed'to the links and projecting substantially in theplane'of the.

' 10. A compression resistant chaingroup comprising a pair of oppositely acting chains ar-' ranged to bewound up in the same plane, each chain comprising a plurality of links having flat sides, pivots connecting adjacent links together with their flat sides in bearing relation, inwardly" projecting noses formed on a plurality of the links of both chains, said noses being located on thelinks above the upper pivots thereof and being arranged to engage while the chains are in a;

stretched condition, whereby relative movement of the chains toward each other is prevented, and pairs of locking hooks on the chains, one

hook of the pair being connected to a link of one corresponding links. 1

6. A compression resistant chain-group comprising a pair of oppositely acting chains arranged to b v wound up in the same plane, each chain comprising a plurality of links having flat sides, pivots connecting adjacent links together with their fiat sides in bearing relation, inwardly projecting noses formed on aplurality of the links of both chains, said noses being located on the links above the upper pivots thereof and being arranged to engaged while the chains are in a stretched condition, whereby relative move ment of the chains toward each other is'prevented, said noses consisting of elements fixed on the upper ends of the correspondin links.

7. A compression resistant chain group comprising a pair of oppositely acting chains arranged to be Wound up in the same plane, each chain comprising a plurality of links having fiat sides, pivots connecting adjacent links together with their flat sides in bearing relation, inwardly projecting noses formed on a plurality of the links of both chains, said noses being located on the links above the upper pivots thereof and being arranged to engage while the chains are in a stretched condition, whereby relative movement of the chains toward each other is prevented, said noses consisting of elements fixed on the upper ends of the corresponding linksandprojecting inwardly as far as the opposed link.

8. A compression resistant chain group cornprising a pair of oppositely acting chains arranged to be wound up in the same plane, each chain comprising a plurality of links, pivots connecting adjacent links together, inwardly projecting noses formed on some of the links of both chains, said noses being located on the links at a point above the upper pivotsthereof and being arranged toengage while the chains are in a stretched condition, whereby relative movement of the chains toward each other is-prevented, one

of said chains comprising hook-shaped members spaced therealong' and arranged to engage the other chain in a manner to prevent relative movement of the chains away from each other.

9. A compression resistant chain group comchain and the other hook of the pair being connected to a link of the other chain, the links to which said hooks are connected being staggered with respect to each other along the chains, when chains are in stretched condition.

11. A compression resistant chain group com- I prising a'pair of oppositely acting chains arranged to be wound up in the same plane, each chain comprising a plurality of linkshaving flat sides,

stop block formed on on of thelinks at a point below the lower pivotof such link, the stop block being arranged to engage the edge of the next lower link when the chains are in stretched condition so as to prevent relative buckling of such link and the next lower link.

12..A compression resistant chain group according to claim 11 wherein the chains comprise alternate relatively long middle links and shorter connecting links arranged at the sides of the middle links, with the noses and the stop blocks mounted on the middle links.

13. A compression resistant chain group of the character described, comprising two oppositely acting chains adapted to be wound up in the. w same plane, each chain comprising alternate links of two ypes pivotallyconnected together, the first type of links having noses arranged to. engage against the noses on the same type of' link on theother chain, the second'ty-pe of links being pivotally connected between the links of the first type, at least one of the second type links, on one of the chains having a locking hook at its upper end, and at least one of the second type links of the other chain having a locking hook arranged to interengage while the chains are in stretchedcondition and prevent relative movement of the chains away from each other.

BENDER. 

